A few other thoughts, which might have less to do with the comments themselves than with the media fallout:

Conservatism works best when it appeals to a sense of unifying uplift (a sense the Romney campaign has been trying to cultivate of late).

Republicans should not be afraid to make a case for an economics that can benefit all Americans.

One can support small government without endorsing the notion of a Manichean struggle between "takers" and "makers."

Much of the increase in government dependency over the past few years has been due to the poor economy. Many of those who are dependent upon government do not want to be dependent. Free-market thinking can inspire a sense of hope tending toward individual empowerment.